40. Blossoming spring Days

Rithick's phone rang. "Rithick, I have arranged for everything. Did you find Neethu?" Rahul asked on the other side.

"Yes, Rahul. She is with me." He grinned. "I proposed to her. I can't explain my happiness in words."

"Superb! I am so happy to hear that. Congratulations, Rithick, come soon," he said and hung up the call.

I gazed at Rithick. It was one of the best moments of my life. I was afraid that he would go away. I couldn't believe my eyes yet. I crushed him again and he chuckled.

"I wish this moment would freeze."

"Why darling?" he asked, engulfing me in another of his big hugs.

"Do you know how much I missed you?"

"Same... me too, my angel. Now, let us go to the hotel and within a few hours, we are going to India. We will be cancelling the trip," he said, surprising me.

"Why, Rithick?"

"You trust me, right?"

"Yes," I said without any delay.

"That's my girl," he said and kissed me again.

"I will tell everything to you, but not now, Neethu. Please understand. It is necessary to leave Malaysia."

I didn't understand anything but I believed my Rithick. There was no doubt in his words.

We stepped into the hotel. I wrapped my arm around his waist. He pampered me like a child.

Rahul was ready with the luggage. I informed my friends. They felt very happy for me. Within an hour, Rithick, Rahul, and I reached the airport.

It was really an unexpected journey. I never thought before that this moment would happen while coming to Malaysia, but, now I was so happy...

Rahul felt so happy for us. I felt the same happiness by seeing Rithick and Rahul's conversation. I laid my head on Rithick shoulder. He looked at me often. They were talking about something. My ears blocked everything. I could only rewind Rithick's love for me. The past hour played in my head like a beautiful movie. I closed my eyes and sleep overcame me.

We reached India. I was safe in the arms of Rithick. This was the happiest moment in my life but still, I had some unknown fear. Rithick, Rahul, and I have breakfast in a hotel.

"Are you ok, baby? Why are you looking so dull?" Rithick asked.

"I don't know, Rithick, I have an unknown fear."

"Why? About what, baby?"

"We cancelled the trip in between. Will it create a problem? Where is Shantra? Why did we come to India early?" I asked. My heartbeats quickened their pace.

"I knew it already, you are scared of everything... but I will never allow you to face any problem till I am alive. Don't worry, Neethu. You will be always safe. Did you trust me darling?" he asked, his eyes softening.

I nodded. "I trust you a lot. Don't say such big words in front of me. I want you in my life forever," I said and held his hand.

"Neethu, I will bring my car now. Will you wait for 30 minutes?" he asked.

I was not ready to leave him right now but we had no option. "Okay, Rithick," I said half-heartedly.

"Rahul, take care of her," he said and went from there.

"Rahul, what is happening in my life? This is unbelievable! Is it a dream? How did Rithick change all of a sudden?" I asked. I still couldn't believe the reality.

"Of course, but it is not new to me. I expected this would happen, so I informed you already," he said, smiling.

"Yes, but how, Rahul?"

"Do you know, Neethu? He loves you since the day he met you. He used to talk about you to me and Riya. He was scared to propose his love to you due to the fear of missing you and your friendship. He had no girls in his life, except you," he said, making me grin.

"But Shantra."

Rahul didn't answer as he got a call from Rithick. He hired a car at once and we were going to an unknown place which I had never seen before. "Where is Rithick? Where are we going? This place is not familiar to me," I said.

"Rithick can't reach the spot due to heavy traffic, so he has asked us to go to the nearby farmhouse. He will come there," Rahul explained.

"Farmhouse? Where is it?" I questioned.

"It is nearby, Neethu. We have spent most of our happiest days in this farmhouse. Come and see, you will definitely like it," he said.

We reached the farmhouse. It was surrounded by trees, includes flowering ones and ornamental flowers. There were no houses nearby. Besides the farm house there was a small pond with lotus and water lilies I admired the beauty of the farmhouse and followed Rahul.

Someone from behind carried me in bridal style. I was taken aback and let out a shriek.

"Shh... Neethu. It's me." Rithick chuckled. I smiled and beat him.

"Leave me, Rithick." I pouted.

"Never, ever... I am happy to have you in my arms, my dear earthly angel." His words made me blush. I encircled my hands around his waist.

Rahul smiled and he welcomed both of us to the farmhouse. We entered the house. Rithick put me on the ground slowly.

The room was decorated beautifully. Unexpectedly, lots of flowers, coloured balloons, and bubbles were showered towards me. I was excited by the warm welcome.

Rithick held me close and touched my hands. Then he took out a ring from his pocket and placed it on my finger.

"Happy birthday, my Angel," he said and kissed my knuckles.

I blinked. Was it my birthday today? I had completely forgotten. Yes! Today was my birthday. My sister was the first person to wish me but today Rithick wished me. I was too happy.

"Neethu, what are you thinking, baby?"

Happy tears appeared in the corner of my eyes. In between Rahul wished me. He gifted me a teddy bear. I was surprised by his gift.

Later, Rithick baked a special cake for me and made me cut the cake. It was delicious and tasty. His love melted me to the core. We had a great time together.

After some time, Rahul left the house. Rithick and I were alone in the house. I felt unknown happiness and sweat beads formed on my face.

"Baby, why are you looking so nervous? Are you comfortable?" he asked, sitting beside me.

"No, Rithick. You are responsible for my nervousness. I am feeling shy to face you," I said and lowered my head.

"Be free, baby. Think of it as your home. I want my Neethu back," he said and kissed my forehead.

I kissed his chin. "I love you, Rithick."

"I love you too, my girl. You are making me lose my control, dear" he said and I blushed.

"Neethu, are you comfortable? If not, tell me, baby," he said.

Why was he asking me this? He was my world. I was happy to be in his arms.

"I am comfortable, Rithick," I said and my phone rang. It was my sister. She conveyed the birthday wishes to me. I felt content.

"There are three sets of dresses are here, Neethu. Choose as per your wish and freshen up," he said. He understood that I was very tired.

"Ok, Rithick! I like this red saree."

"Me too, Neethu. I am eager to see you, my angel, come soon," he said. I went for a bath.

Rithick's POV

My love, my life, and everything was back to me. I couldn't express my happiness in words. I never had any such plans before but God united us on her birthday. It was a very special day for me.

I wished o share everything about Shantra to my Neethu but this was not the time. I would tell her everything the moment I felt comfortable. I couldn't disturb her peace of mind. She might get disturbed if she came to know about her. I had solved all the problems but still, I wanted to keep my Neethu safe from Shantra. So, I chose a farmhouse.

Suddenly, Neethu opened the door. I was melted by her beauty. She was looking like a queen. I admired her look.

"Rithick, I don't know to wear saree." She chuckled.

"Then, why did you choose the saree, baby? I had brought a Kurti-salwar too," I said.

"You like saree, so I had selected it," she said, pouting like a kid

"No problem, baby. I will help you," I said. She blushed again. This girl was doing something to me.

I kissed her cheeks. She blushed again. She hugged me. I hugged her back.

I kissed her neck and then looked at her face. Her lips attracted me and I touched them with mine. She responded to my kiss. She responded to each touch.

I helped her wear the saree. I stroked her waist and kissed her belly.

She held my hands and hugged me tightly. We had a great time. Love overcame all other emotions and I was getting crazy about her each second.

"Rithick, leave me, it is enough. I am feeling hungry. Let me prepare dinner." She let out a small sigh.

"No, I won't leave my baby."

"Please Rithick." She pouted.

"Ok, baby. Then we both can prepare dinner. I will help you."

I cut the vegetables and she prepared the kurma. Later, we prepared chapathi. The food was delicious like my mom's food.

"The food is so tasty like you, my baby."

"Rithick... Don't make me shy," she said innocently.

"My baby looks so cute when she blushes," I said and fed food to her. She fed to me in return.

Then, we returned to our room.

"Are you happy, Neethu? Sorry, baby, I didn't celebrate your birthday as grandly as I had planned before."

"I am too happy, Rithick. This is my special birthday. I love you a lot."

I was so happy to hear these words from my Neethu.

"Neethu, I love you too. You are looking tired. Sleep on the bed. If you need anything, call me."

"Why? Where are you going?"

"I am sleeping on the couch, Neethu."

"Why?" she asked innocently. Only the girls had the super power to act innocently even if they knew the reason.

I smiled at her. "It is not safe for us to sleep together, baby. Good night," I said.

"Come and sleep on the bed Rithick. We know our limits. Please come," she called me and I laid down beside her.

Her beauty was killing me. Her eyes and her lips were attracting me towards her like magnets. She hugged me and I held her in my arms.